As many of you will know, local residents decided to take the matter into their own hands and, supported by local Welsh Liberal Democrats, organised a community referendum on the issue.

The results of the referendum couldn't have been clearer, with a massive 94% of local residents supporting the proposal to keep the existing paddling pool in Ynysangharad Park as part of the Lido redevelopment.

At the time of the result I urged RCT Council to respect the views of their residents and amend the plans accordingly.

Having attended a public meeting on the issue and having spoken to many local residents, I know how much opposition there is in Pontypridd to the removal of the much-loved paddling pool.

The referendum result gave the council an opportunity to show that they did indeed respect the views of the residents that they are elected to represent. After all, none of the funding promised for the regeneration of the Lido is dependent on removal of the pool.

I was therefore extremely disappointed to learn that when the issue was discussed at a meeting of the full council of RCT on November 14, that the views of residents who voted in the referendum were completely ignored.

Not only that, but an opposition councillor was refused permission to read out a statement on behalf of the SOS Pontypridd Paddling Pool group.

Rather than discuss the result, and the options, in a respectful manner the debate was cut short and the council resolved to carry on regardless.

This decision to ignore the wishes of local residents really is a slap in the face for local people.

The campaign to keep the paddling pool was not politically motivated but was led by local people, many with no political affiliation, who just wanted to keep the paddling pool preserved, as they had been promised before the recent local elections.

When politicians so blatantly reject the views of their residents in this way, is it little wonder that more and more people become disengaged with our democratic processes.

The pitiful turnout of just 13% in the recent Police Commissioner election in RCT is confirmation of that.

If you would like to discuss this or any other issue then please get in touch.

I hold regular surgeries in the area or you can contact me by phone on 029 2089 8345 or by e-mail at Eluned.Parrott@wales.gov.uk